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Ada lost 115 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Ada lost 115 pounds.  This proud nurse gained and lost weight over a number of years and suffered from sleeping and breathing issues.  She came up with a plan that worked for her and lost the weight.  Here is what she shared with us:

“Hi, my name is Ada Lee and I have lost a total of 115 pounds since 2009, and 77 of those pounds since July 3rd of this year. My starting weight was 378 pounds. I was embarrassed and my self esteem was very low. I had trouble sleeping and my breathing was so bad that I had to sleep upright at night. I was in college studying nursing and it was very stressful.  All I wanted to do was eat and study, and that is when I gained 40 pounds in 11 months. I knew I had to do something, after I graduated nursing school and became a nurse, I knew I had to do something. I started walking and exercising, and ate only protein and vegetables.  That is when I noticed the weight coming off. I lost a total of 62 pounds in 2010, but once I moved to another state I gained 35 of those pounds back, enjoying the new surroundings and all the different foods too. I was adjusting to the city life. I then decided that I was tired of being in a size 3x-4x so i started eating a low calorie, low carb, no sugar diet right after my birthday in June.  I also started walking 6-8 miles, 3 times a week which has led me to lose 77 pounds! I am now an x-large and I love the NEW ME! I have not quite met my goal yet and I am still working to lose 40 more pounds. Losing weight takes a lot of discipline, especially if you are use to eating a lot of sugary foods but it is worth giving up those foods and enjoying your New Look. Stay encouraged, stay positive and stay focused. My instagram name is queenlee601

  • The first picture is of me at 378lbs
  • The second picture is in June 21st my birthday and I was 345lbs
  • The third is me 2 weeks ago at 267lbs”

Ada's weight loss photos

Gwen lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Gwen lost 60 pounds in 7 months.  She was inspired to get healthy by her daughter who lost 65 pounds.  I love it when families lose weight together!  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Gwen weight loss photos

“Hi I’m Gwen, I just wanted to introduce myself and tell you my story. I was skinny growing up, until I had my daughter. I gained a lot of weight and over the years it has been a struggle. I quit smoking in Jan 1, 2012 and I gained weight since I stopped. March of this year, I got motivated to change my life and lose weight.  I knew I had to change my eating habits and get busy exercising. I just really want to be healthy and live to see my grandkids when my daughter decides to have kids.

My new way of life is clean eating (fresh fruits and veggies, baked and grilled meats) and exercising 5-6 times a week. I also drink plenty of water, 100-120 oz a day. I like to switch up my exercise routines, so it varies from from gym to workout videos at home to water aerobics.  Dr. Ian Smith’s book, Shred: The Revolutionary Diet, played a major part in my dieting and lifestyle change.

It’s been 7 months now, and it was hard, but I really like exercising and eating right. My advice to others is to get started and stick to it. If you mess up or have a cheat meal forget about it and start all over again. Never give up. My daughter also lost 65 lbs. She inspired me to get healthy.”

Gwen weight loss story

Gwen and her daughter

Pros and Cons of The Fast Diet

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the fast dietOne of the newest diet trends is the Fast Diet, as described by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer in their book, The Fast Diet: Lose weight, stay healthy and live longer with the secret of intermittent fasting (Atria Books, February 2013); is gaining a lot of notice for its promises, criticisms and anecdotal evidence of effectiveness. Before you rush out to try it, there are several things that you should consider when looking at any new diet plan. The Fast Diet is too new to have a body of supporting clinical evidence to call its own, but it is based on some historical nutritional studies that reveal the potential pros and cons of adopting this approach.  In addition, the concept of fasting is one that has been embraced for centuries, but more so for spiritual reasons and body cleansing.

The reality check

One of the basic rules is that if a new diet appears and proves popular, then just about everyone with a name and a title is going to come out and tell you why it doesn’t work and how cutting calories and increasing exercise is the only way to lose weight. Within this rule is a grain of truth, but the fact is that there are many diets that prove popular and are an effective means to lose weight.  There will always be supporters and people who think a the diet is horrible. The other solid fact is that not all diets work for everyone and every diet is best supported by regular exercise and responsible nutrition.  You have to find out what works for you and you have to determine for yourself if it’s healthy.

The 5:2 Fast Diet Plan

Dr. Mosley presents the Fast Diet plan in a 5:2 structure. This means for 5 days you get to eat whatever you want and for 2 days you fast. He spends the 244 pages of the book explaining why this is not as simple as it sounds. You don’t just eat fast food and junk Monday through Friday and then nothing at all on Saturday and Sunday; Mosley presents a careful balance of nutritional elements that are designed to redefine your basic diet and calorie intake and to add in the balance of intermittent fasting.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is defined as a reduction of calories to 500 calories a day for women and 600 for men. You are allowed to drink as much water as you want. Mosley also outlines that the 5 days of eating should be broken up with a day of fasting every 2 or 3 days, rather than placing them back to back. The book contains many suggestions and recipes for how to ease into the fasting day so that you do not experience hunger pains or any symptoms of a drop in blood sugar levels.  I think this is a much better method than just not eating for days on end.

The Pros of the Fast Diet

While the name and presentation of an intermittent fasting diet may be new, the diet itself is not. There have been numerous clinical studies done that show that it is a safe and effective way to lose weight. There are also many studies that suggest that it may have a positive impact on reducing certain types of estrogen receptor cancers, such as breast cancer; as well as provide other health benefits that do not appear in other diet plan studies.

The Cons of the Fast Diet

It is probably a disappointment to quite a few that the “Fast” in Fast Diet doesn’t refer to a quick weight loss, but the diet cycle is imagined over a 6 to 8 week time frame. For people that are obese, the results from the first cycle are reported to be dramatic. The biggest drawback of the Fast Diet is that if you do not eat a balanced diet, you can cause nutritional deficiencies easily. It can also be easily taken to extremes that can reinforce unhealthy eating patterns as well.

What should you do?

Talk to your doctor before beginning any diet plan if you have any health concerns or conditions. If you are in good health, then it’s safer to try a weight loss plan like the Fast Diet. If you use the 6 week plan as an opportunity to change your eating habits during those 5 days, you may benefit greatly from the structure and approach of this diet.  Or this could not be the plan for you.  If you are prone to extremes with your diet, stay away; fasting is something that you should not flirt with if you have problems with your body image.

Meka lost 59 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Meka lost 59 pounds and has shared her journey on Instagram.  She lost weight to improve her health and be there for her family.  Here is what she shared about losing the pounds:

Meka weight loss photos

“My motivation to lose weight was for my health and my family. I started at at 209 pounds.  My weight held me down and had me in a slump for awhile.  I changed my eating habits by giving up processed foods and focusing on eating protein and veggies. My workout routine: I go hard on my cardio days and I walk or run 3-4 miles. I also lift weights.

My current weight is 150 pounds. My before photo is about 4 months into my weight loss journey.  It has taken me over a year to get where I am today, and I’m not done yet.  Toning and tightening up my body is my main priority right now.  My advice to others is to take baby steps and set up realistic goals. Many times we set up goals that are not attainable in one month.  We have to be real when it comes to weight loss.  It’s a slow and steady process, not something that happens over night! I will be 40 years old next year, and I WILL be in the BEST shape of my LIFE!  Follow me on Instagram: mekagetfit LETS get fit together!”

Follow BWLW on Instagram: blackwomenlosingweight

Torri lost 41 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story: Torrie lost 41 pounds with Zumba, Weight Watchers, walking and working out with a trainer.  She was willing to put in the work to push past a plateau.  Here is what she shared with us:

Torrie weight loss photos

“My name is Torrie and I’m 36 years old. My weight struggle started after I had my first and only son. I gained over 30 pounds while pregnant, on top of weight I had gained already before pregnancy.  My total weight was 233 pounds. This was the biggest I had ever been. I was in graduate school, working full-time, plus overtime with a newborn and got so comfortable that I did not even realize how much weight I gained. I was tired of not having anything to wear because my clothes were too small and I was tired of spending all of my money on plus size clothes (because they can be a little more expensive). In Spring 2012, decided to join Weight Watchers and later incorporated Zumba classes. I lost about 10 pounds which put me at 221 pounds. I continued with my Weight Watchers program and Zumba but I noticed that I was no longer losing. I got so frustrated and stopped going to Zumba and did not rejoin Weight Watchers; I hit a Plateau!

In April of 2013, my job decided to have a free 6-week weight lost challenge using Weight Watchers. I decided to rejoin. My starting weight was 221.8 pounds at my first weight in. I got frustrated in the beginning because I gained 1.3 pounds which put me at 223.1. After talking with a few high school alum that work out a lot they informed me that I needed to do more than just Zumba to push that plateau. I decided to join a gym and get a trainer. I would work out in the morning everyday, Monday thru Thursday and some Saturdays for an hour doing nothing but cardio machines (Treadmills, Elliptical, Stepper, and Bike).  I worked out with my trainer once a week doing weights. By the end of my 6 weeks Weight Watchers challenge, I was down to 217 pounds. I decided that I would not rejoin Weight Watchers but to keep track of my food on my own. My eating habits consist of lots of salads, fruit, and veggies. I ate in small portions, elimitated pop, junk and fried food from my diet. I continued to go to the gym and workout with my trainer faithfully. I started walking on my breaks at work for 15 to 20 minutes a day, as well as going to the track and walk. I keep track of my walking using the MapMyWalk app. I also did some bike riding when I could. I just tried to get as much cardio in as possible. On September 21, 2013, I attended my first real walk with the American Lung Association: Fight For Air 5K Run/Walk, with a few High School Alumni. It was a very exciting experience for me and I really enjoyed it. I took me close to 8 months but as of today my current weight is 192. The biggest advice I would give is to lost weight for you and not for anyone else. You are your own motivation.”

Telondia lost the weight at the YMCA

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Telondia wrote in to share how she’s lost 16 with a great group weight loss program at her local YMCA in Waterbury, CT.  Here’s what she shared about her transformation so far:

“I am 23, been having weight issues for the past 3 years and finally wanted to get the weight off, but it hasn’t been easy. Time and time again I would say I’m gonna do it and then failed, so for the past month and a half I’ve joined a group at the ymca called Brass City Melt Down.  It’s a 10 week weight loss program and I have been doing a lot of cardio, strength workouts and weekly challenges to help my team get points. This program only cost $45, so I knew that I wasn’t going to waste my money lol. In this week’s standing our team is in 4th place out of 13. My eating habits have changed from always eating McDonald’s, Wendy’s and just a lot of fast food in general.  Now, I’m eating more salads, fruits, vegetables and I make fruit and vegetables smoothies as a snack. Instead of chips, I’ll have a granola bar or smoothie.

My advice to someone would be don’t doubt yourself because when you least expect it, it will all happen for you.  When the time is right and it will become something that you will enjoy doing because you will feel so much better about yourself. Once you see the pounds coming off it motivates you more.”

Telondia weight loss story

Joy lost 21 pounds

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Today’s weight loss story: Joy lost 21 pounds and fought off high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  She knows that slow and steady wins the race and you can see your health improved just with a loss of 20 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us:

Joy weight loss photos

“I began taking my weight loss seriously in January 2013. I have always been physically fit, but various life crisis caused me to loose control of my eating habits.  My eating and health declined after loosing my father and brother seven months apart in 2009. I gained a lot of weight. My blood pressure was high and my cholesterol level was extremely high as well.

I knew that my family has a history of diabetes of high blood pressure. I loss my mother in 1991 at age 50 to complications of diabetes. In 2009, I lost my my father at age 67 due to complications of high blood pressure and a stoke and my brother at age 44 due to complications of diabetes and high blood pressure. When I saw myself getting into a size 16, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

My Transformation Plan:  January 2013: My beginning weigh-in was 181 lbs.  I began to use more sensible portion control when it came to eating. I eat six meals a day. I incorporate a lot of fruits and veggies into my eating plan along with fish and chicken.  Also, I exercise 5 times a week for 1 hour and a half. I incorporate all times of exercises.

  • Mon: Five mile walk
  • Tue: Strength training upper body
  • Wed: Spinning Class
  • Thursday: Strength Training lower body
  • Friday: One hour of Pilates

November 2013: Down 21 pounds. Now I weigh in at 160 pounds.

I feel great & have more energy!! Every time I exercised, I thought of my family members and how young they were when they passed. I thought of my own high blood pressure issues and the doctor telling me that I need to take care of myself. I committed myself to being healthy and staying fit!! I hope this motivate someone else to keep trying and don’t give up.”

Are the Green Tea for Weight Loss Claims True?

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green tea for weight lossIf you were to believe all the advertisements, infomercials and half the websites on the Internet that are connected to a product with green tea, you might think that it is the magical answer to weight loss. It can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to evaluating products and supplements aimed at helping people burn fat because the issue of obesity is highly charged and there is a lot of money made on diet products. The tried and true methods of reducing calories, eating healthy and increasing exercise can seem too hard to maintain, if your schedule is overburdened or your current weight and lifestyle habits make it hard to break through into healthy living. Green tea has been presented as a cure-all of obesity, but are the green tea for weight loss claims true? The answer is a resounding yes and a huge no. Understanding how green tea can assist in weight loss and how to use it to support a weight loss program will help you achieve your goals realistically.

How to spot when things aren’t what they seem

The first thing you have to accept is that the human body is not designed to lose a pound a day. The body is hard-wired to prevent starvation and will quickly seek to regain the weight loss when the chance comes, and not just regain it, but to build up an additional surplus of fat just in case it is placed into starvation mode again. This is why healthy weight loss is most often calculated at a pound every week to two weeks. This pace means that the weight loss has not placed stress on the metabolism that will create a backlash weight gain and that your habits have changed to support sustaining the healthy weight loss as well.

What green tea does

Green tea leaves are taken from the plant Camellia Sinensis which is indigenous to China and grows in many areas of Asia. The leaves are harvested and prepared with a minimum of oxidization, which preserves a high level of naturally occurring polyphenols in the leaf. The polyphenols can then be consumed by ingesting the tea or water the leaf has been steeped in. These polyphenols contain many properties that are just beginning to be understood and documented by the scientific community to support the practices the tea has been used for in traditional medicines. Polyphenols have been shown to provide support to the immune system, act as a diuretic, have high concentrations of antioxidants, and have the effect of raising the metabolic rate without also increasing heart rate. Traditionally, green tea is used to increase energy, fight off sickness and as a weight loss agent. The thought is that by ingesting regular amounts of green tea in powder, capsule or infused water the polyphenols act within the system in support of immune and metabolic functions.  However, this is a theory but one with a lot of information out there to back it up.

How to use it to support a weight loss plan

No green tea product is going to help you lose weight just by taking it alone. It’s not a magic pill.  Green tea is a diuretic, so you will experience some water weight loss but that is not permanent. Green tea has been proven in scientific studies to aide in weight loss by increasing the metabolism by up to 4%. Your metabolism is how fast your body can process fat to fuel, which is how weight is lost. Green tea has also been shown to increase energy levels, similar to caffeine, which can help you keep up with exercise routines. There is also evidence that green tea supports healthy blood sugar maintenance which is also beneficial to weight loss management.

Guaranteeing success

Green tea can play a very important role in weight loss. By using it in conjunction with calorie management and an exercise program, can help you to lose weight and keep it off.  Just think of it as any other supplement you may choose to use.  It’s a tool. One of the best ways to incorporate green tea in your diet is to use it as a substitute for sugary or high caloric drinks, such as lattes and other fancy coffees. In the end, adding green tea to your daily diet may assist you in reaching your weight loss goals in a healthy way that can be maintained, but it will not do the work for you.

Taniqua lost 28 pounds

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Taniqua wrote in to share her weight loss story.  She is down 28 pounds with My Fitness Pal, clean eating, working out regularly and using the Weight Watchers weight loss plan.  Here is what she had to say:

Taniqua weight loss photos

“Hey y’all! I’m Taniqua but all my family and friends call me NeNe.  This is me at my heaviest (photo)!!! I was 214 pounds and I am now 186 pounds. I’m sooo proud of my progess over the last year. I have lost a total of 28 lbs so far and I vow that I will never get this big again because I had never been that big before!!! I looked at myself in this picture and was like “Ohh noo girl, you have gotten too big!!!!” It still took me another year to get motivated to lose the weight. Everybody would tell me that I didnt look like I was over 200 lbs but I was! Myfitnesspal.com, clean eating and Weight Watchers helped in addition to working out 3 times a week!!! I still have a ways to go because I still need to get rid of the rest of this belly fat!!!! I hope this story can help motivate somebody to just do it and you have to believe that you can. If all you can do is take a short walk everyday do it because she did it and she’s doin it and I’m proud of myself.
Yayyy Me!!! Lol

I started by eating fish, chicken and ground turkey. I would make protein shakes in the morning and have a nice lunch with veggies and chicken. I also would eat sandwiches with red and yellow peppers, instead of potato chips.  For dinner, I would have more veggies and a starch and chicken or fish. I stopped frying food and baked everything. As for exercise, I joined Planet Fitness for 10.00 a month I would work on legs shoulders and arms and then do like 45-60 minutes worth of cardio (depending on how I was feeling lol). I would rotate my days and on the that days I didn’t lift I would do just a straight hour of cardio on this machine called the Ark.  I love that machine. I’m a work in progress and I’m still trying to lose the rest of my belly fat, so im getting ready to start this challenge for flat abs for 30 days.  We will see how it goes!!! :)”

Shawnda lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Shawnda.  She had weight loss surgery and has lost 178 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

“Just wanted to share my weight loss story . I had the gastric bypass weight loss surgery four years ago and I’ve lost 178 lbs. I am still working on it because the doctor says that I am still overweight. I am taking it one day at a time!!   My motivation was my children. I needed to live for them. I had the gastric bypass, so my eating habits have to be limited. No sugars, breads or sodas. I walked for about 30 minutes a day and went to the gym 3 times a week. My starting weight was 476 pounds and I am now 320 pound. I am still working on getting below 300 pounds. This transformation has taken place for the last 4 years and still going on. I would say to others, stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize which is your healthy lifestyle and long life.”

shawnda weight loss surgery